In Steve Clarke we trust has long been the motto of the Tartan Army. They have followed him through thick and thin, the highs and the lows, and the man may one day go down as one of the most successful Scotland managers—especially after ending a 28-year wait for World Cup football. However, with the team selection for the pre–World Cup friendlies announced, I fear we could be reverting back to the old ways
For a period, we appeared to be moving away from the old ‘loyalty’ to players. We were utilising the fresh new talent coming through the ranks rather than sticking with the usual players who don’t feature for their club but still get a game. However, with the announcement this week, it looks as though loyalty is creeping back in.
I’m not saying I know how to manage a national team or which players to pick, but as a fan, there are certain players who I feel have been overlooked for a place in the national squad.
Let’s start with the defence—a crucial aspect of any game, the heart and soul of not conceding goal. Personally, there are three players I believe were definitely in with a chance of making the Scotland squad for a few reasons. One team are the league leaders, and another has one of the best defensive records in European football
For me, Stephen Welsh (Celtic, on loan at Motherwell), Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian), and Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell) have all been massively overlooked for this set of friendly fixtures.
Halkett has been a stone wall in defence for Hearts this season and, having only missed five games, for me he was a shoe-in for the squad. Similarly, Stephen Welsh and O’Donnell have been playing prime football at Motherwell—could they have brought a bit of a spark to the national team? O’Donnell has been tremendous down the right-hand side, with his driving runs and clever balls into the box, while Welsh has been a constant at the back and possesses a great attacking threat in set-piece situations.
I know only so many players can be included, but given it’s a friendly, could we have tried something different and let a few players showcase what they can do at a national level? For me, the three switch-outs I would have made would be the three listed above in place of Grant Hanley—who hasn’t played for Hibs since February due to a hamstring problem, Anthony Ralston, who only secured his first 12 minutes for Celtic against Motherwell after not featuring for nearly two months, and Nathan Patterson, who hasn’t played since January and has only six appearances this season for Everton.
I was also definitely shocked not to see Barney Stewart of Falkirk on the list. The young forward has been a standout for them this season. After finding himself out on loan to the Championship at the start of the season, he came back to the Premiership with a vengeance and certainly knows where the goal is. Could this be the striker Scotland have been craving?
After returning to Falkirk, he hasn’t missed a game since January. In that time—11 games—he has scored six goals and provided two assists. Prior to this, whilst on loan at Dunfermline, he also scored six goals in 11 games. If you include the cup competitions he has featured in this season, it brings his goal tally to 18 so far.
The youngster has pretty impressive stats and must have caught the attention of the Scotland manager. Is it possible he is lacking a season or two of first-team Premiership experience? Possibly—but that shouldn’t deflect from a Scotland call-up.
It is difficult to say where you could make a change up top, as surely when Lawrence Shankland returns from injury, he will slot straight into the squad. For now, it would probably be George Hirst of Ipswich making way for Stewart. Hirst has nine goals in 33 appearances for the club, and his goal contributions are slightly sporadic—in the sense that a flurry of two or three comes, then there is a drought. With one goal in six Scotland appearances, do we need to sample a few new strikers?
This is just my opinion. I certainly won’t ever be asked to be the Scotland manager, so, like I say, it’s just an opinion. However, when you want to see a nation thrive in football, you feel you must put your best foot forward—possibly with a few changes ahead of the World Cup. I’m all for being proved wrong, though, so maybe after these two friendlies I’ll have to eat my words.
I have a keen interest in sport journalism and broadcasting.